Knitting method and machine



. April 1Q 1941 -H. E. Housr-:MAN l 2,237,143 y KNITTING METHOD AND MACHINE Filed Nov. 1, 1959 6 sheets-sheet; 1

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H. E. HoUsEMAN KNITTING METHOD AND MACHINE Filed Nav. 1, 1939 e sheets-sheet 2 April 1, 1941- H. E. HoUsI-:MAN 2,237,143

KNITTING METHOD AND MACHINE Filed NOV. 1, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 EKI) .Filed Nov. 1, 1.939 l a sheets-sham s pff if@ KNTTING METHOD AND MACHINE;

Yiled Nov. l, 1.359 S Sheets-Sheet Patented Apr., l, 1941 KNETTING METHOD AND MACEKNE Harold E. Henneman, Laconia, N. E., miglior to Scott and Williams, Incorporated, Laconia, N. E., a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 1, 1939, Serial No. @2,443

22 Gaim.'

This invention relates to an improved type of stocking and the method and machine for making the same, and has particular reference to a split foot type of stocking, the leg and instep of which incorporate patterning achieved by the reverse concatenation of loops and speciiically involving broad ribs. 'I'he stocking in its most specific form involves knitting to cause the foot portion to approach more closely a right angle with the leg portion than in the case of stockings generally manufactured heretofore, and also involves the provision of right and left toes.

' As disclosed in the patents to E. A. Hirner Nos. 1,154,116 and 1,549,307, it is possible by the inclusion of extra fabric at the bottom of the foot portion of a stocking to cause the foot portion as a whole to extend at an angleapproaching a right angle with respect to the leg. This stocking provides a much better t on the foot of the wearer than most conventional forms of stockings, this beingparticularly noticeable in the absence of creases over the instep, due, in ordinary stockings, to the fact that the foot tends to force the foot portion of the stocking more closely toward a right angle with the leg port tion than is the case in the stocking before itis put on the foot. Additionally, with a stocking of` 1939, there is disclosed a stocking embodying the Shiner type oil foot and provided with patterning inthe leg and 'instep specically taking the form of ribs. The entire stocking as a single unit throughout.

it is frequently desirable that stockings should instep and also should be provided :with reenforcement above the heel inwhat is movin as a high splice. Such stockings are formed in either of two ways. namely, by' rotary-mining of the portions above the heel and the wie with change of yarns or by reciprocatory mitting utilizing -two feeds. The former of these methods involves so-called rotary knitting, while the latter involves reciprocatory split lmtting. In accordance .with the present invention. splitknitting of either type may be used, reciprocatory spia knitting @eine specifically disclosed herein. The formation of the Hirnei' type 'of foot in a split foot construction involves various compliwas knit` machine, the stockings forming the subject-mat-- 'd0 be provided with separate yarn in the sole and (ci. sce-iii' cations, the solutionsv of which will be apparent hereafter. l

If two feeds are provided for reciprocatory split knitting, the major `portion of the leg of the stocking may be knit two-feed to secure rapidity of production. To secure a better fitting stocking, and particularly in view of the closer and better fit which results from the use of the Hirner type of foot, it is desirable to provide for the formation of right and left toes. A satisfactory method of formation of right and left toes is described in the patent to Howard No. 461,183, dated October 13, 1891. vIt is one of the objects of the present invention to provide right and left toes of 'this vtype in a stocking of the general type mentioned above.

The various aspects of the invention, land particularly desirable features of constructionl of a stocking and of operation of a machine will be best understood following consideration of thedetailed ,description herein of the practice of the invention as applied to two specific stocking formations.'

rillus application relates particularly to the ter of co-pending application Serial No. 302,444, led of even date herewith.

in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of one side of a preferred form of'stocking constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure iA is a similar elevation of the other side of the toe thereof;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View through the cylinders of a double cylinder type of machine illustrating in fragmentary form the fashion in which transfer of needlesis accomplished; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating cams of the machine. l

' Figure d illustrates in elevation the form of upper. and'iower sliders used in the machine;

Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the arrange ling sliders-carrying knitting and transfer butts;

, .maure 6 is a diagram illustrating the modincations oi various cams and control of a lowering picker:

'Figure 7, is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating particularly the controlling means for the lowering picker'to enable it toforin right and left toes;

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing'certain'" details of the control of the lowering`- picker;

in developed form the inner surfaces of variousv ment in the machine of various needle control- Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the means for controlling the step by step movements of a trick drum;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view of the same;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 5, but

showinga modified arrangement of sliders for the formation of another type of stocking; and Figure 12 is a View similar to Figure 1 showing .an alternative high splice construction obtained y a conventional 1 x `1 rib arrangement may be embodied, which rib top in turn surmounts a ribbed leg portion 8 which, as specifically illustratedin Figure 1 and as described in connection with the method and machine, is of the wellknown English broad rib or 6 x 3 rib type. f The plain stitch portions 8 are six wales wide, while the depressed ribs I0 are three wales wide, theribs being due, as is usual, to the reverse fashion in which the loops of the contrasting fabric portions are interlinked. The rib top 4 and the leg in the present instance are formed at two feeds with resulting rapidity of production.

While for purposes of illustration a specific rib formation is described, it will be obvious that by variations in the distribution of needles in the upper. and lower cylinders and by changes of foot is-knit by reciprocatory split knitting to form the instep 26 'and sole 2l joined at side sutures indicated wt III. The ribs continued at I6 and 24 are continued through the instep. There is also resumed the formation of the ribs above the suture lines 30 which were interrupted by the widened and narrowed .heel extensions wand 20 in front ,of the heel. As contrasted with the high. splice region the llower portion of the foot is kn-irt plain, the ribs being confined to the instep. The foot is finished with the usual rotary knit ning toe 32, following which there is formed by reciprocatory knitting the toe.

ln stockings formed in accordance with the present invention, righi; and left toes are provided which are of the type illustrated in the Howard Patent 461,183, referred to above. The stocking shown in Figures l and 1A is for the left fmt. ont-he right side of this stocking during reciprocatory knitting there is at rst no narrowing, the courses extending about the bottom of the toe tothe selvage edge wt 33 formed on the same needle up to the point 34. From this point narrow-ing occurs along the line 35, needles being successively removed .from action. On .the left h-and side of the stocking, however, narrowing occurs from the beginning of the formation of the toe along the suture 36. Following the completion of the narrowing operation, widening takes place on both sides until the full set of sole needles has been introduced on the right side of `the stocking. Thereafter no further widening on that side occurs, a selvage edge being produced, but widening continues on these distributions during knitting there may be provided in the stocking numerous design for-l the lef-t side until .the top of the toe is completed. Thus there is provided an asymmetrical pocket of the type'i-llustrated in said Howard patent providing an enlarged space at the right side of tins stock-ing. After the completion od! the reciprocatory lmitting there are formed by rotary knitting the loopers rounds indicated at 38 which are ultimately stitched as indicated at 40'. The selvage edges at 33 are also stitched together to provide the finished Before discussing the variations of this stocking within the scope of the invention, there will be first described the method of its formation upon the double cylinder type of machine commonly used for the production of the so-called tinued, and there are formed several courses,

indicated at I4, which contain plain knitting except for :the ribs at the upper portion of theA instep, indicated at I6. Below these courses the ciproceitory knitting. In front of this is ,the

English broad rib. This machine is of the wellknown Bentley type as illustrated, for example, in

Spiers Patent 1,210,866, Bentley Patents 1.713,-

' chine is illustrated herein in diagrammatic fash- Yheel, consisting of narrowed and widened portions II and I8, respectively, is formed by rewidened gore I9 followed by the narrowed gore 2,0 providing extra fabric characteristic of the foot of the Hirner type stocking. Such arrangement of the gores is specifically illustrated in Figure II of Hirner Patent 1,549,307, referred to aibove, and in my Patent No, 2,170,078, dated .August 22, 1939.

Following thenarrowed gore 20 are a series of split courses indicated at 22 and corresponding to the courses i4 in that'they involve plain knitting except for the rib formation, continu- (The lines shown in the drawing exion as to show the essential changes inthe conventional machine required for carrying out the improved method to produce the stocking illustrated in Figures 1 and LA.

Referring rst to Figure 2, there are illustrated therein :the lower cylinder 42 and upper cylinder 44 of a Bentley machine. These cylinders, which are driven in unison during both rotation and reciprocaition, are provided with4 les and foot. Also slidable within the slots. but

i o camsat themain feed.A

* ers se @mi lower sliders es, which are nem in position by spring bands, not illustrated. The u sliders' 52 carry transfer butts indicated ated, auxiliary transfer butts 'indicated ait 51 and hitting butts indicated at il, while the lower sliders carry-transfer butts indicated at S0, auxiliary transfer butts indicated at Si and imittins butts indicata at 32. The transfer butts are-for the purpose of providing transfer of. the needles from one cylinder to the other while the knitting butts are designed to cause the needles www to .the sliders to move through their lmittins waves. ers of conventionnl type indi at 6d serve to cooperate with the ndles in the usual on for the iionof stitches.

In order to control the sliders for the proper transfer of the needles there is provided at the heisht'of the separation between the cylinders a separating cam d@ which has the form indicaroed in my "wf- No. 2,170,078, in which nt there are described in detail the construction and mf tion of this in eeoting transfer. 'The transfer operations, with-slight changes described herein, are essentially the same as described in my said patent.

in Figure 3 there is illustratedin interior development the arrangement of cams for controlling the sliders in the upper and lower cylinders. Eesides the cams which are illustrated in Figure 3 there are provided the usual latch guarding cams and other conventional cams and devices which have only their conventional functionsin the present machine. The sinher cams are also conventional and need scribed.

Adapted to cooperate with the lower sliders there are the main feed center cam adapted. to wir; short knitting butts and the m feed 4stitch it and l2. Above there are respec tively located the raising pickers ldand ld of conventional type adapted to raise both long and short'butt sliders during reciprocatorymltting.

At the aumliary feed there is, located a center lid-and stitch cams e and. The center to operate on the auxiliary transier'butts @i and 30 ci for the purpose of securing unich transfer during' reciprocation. Gam surfaces in and d@ serve to restore the sliders to proper positions not be 'specifically de- *5 butts in position to either engage the picker I6 cam 'id is racially movable and adapted to occupy ly movable, hut occupies a xed position in which after a transfer action es place either through the main'or auxiliary transiter cams. fit will he noted that the 'd5 and di are slightly beyond the'positlon ci the cams @d d El@ and the cern surface oi cam dil, with the result that a double transfer may be eected as descri hereafter. A long butt slider raisins com is provided at di.

'rms cem is radially movable to position it so es edect no operation on lonsv buttsliders or to longbutt sliders to an inoperative height so that they will not be engaged by the A lons butt slider lower v5 'ing cam 9|, which is movable radially, is provided for the purpose of bringing down long butt sliders to an active level.

A guard cam 98 insures thelocation of slider lol is the reverse stitch clearing cam at the auxillaryfeed and |00 and lo! together effect stitch clearing in forward movements at the auxiliary feed. The lowering picker idd provided just beyond the auxiliary feed will be described in greater detail hereafter. It must be capable of picking down long as well as short butts.

At .tot there is illustrated the radially movable long butt raising cam operating similarly to cam l d2 in reverse movements of the cylinders. This cam is adapted to engage long butts only ,when

the cam is in its inner position. Cam ld'i below it serves as a guard cam for cam 06.

The upper set vof cams comprises an upper center main feed cam ldd followed by the vfor-- ward stitch cam i'io and cams iii and lit adapt- -ed to clear thestitches. it the aumliary feed there is the .center cam iid; which isradially movable to occupy a position in which 'it engages no upper slider knitting butts, a positiorin'which it engages long Y butts which it engages both long and shortbutts. This is followed by the forward auxiliary/ upper stitch cam lid which in'turn is followed by cams i2!! and G22 to cause the stitches to clear the latches.

At idd there is provided c. radially movable slider elevating cam which in its outer position will fail toengage any butts and in its inner position Y will engage all knitting butts of the upper sliders. Immediatelyliollowing this is 'ia second movable cam it@ which has a lower? recessed portion adapted to engage long butts only when the cam is in its active position. When withdrawn Cil the sliders in their reverse movements are the reverse auidliary -stitch cam E28, the latch clearing toiit. This cam E84, however, is not radialit serves to lower long butt sliders only. A re' verse sdtch cam i535 is provided at the main feed and clearing of the latches by stitches is effected byc i3d and idd. 0i the various described abovacams dd,

de, te and 3l are controlled in conventional inshlon from the usual pattern drum or, if more .elaborate patterns are being produced, from con-` ventional chains. 0f the lower series of 'cams ed, the and ld are ally movable as described, and as will become clear hereafter. The 4.rncvamente oi these c are controlled from ve n descri as' radially movable. in addition, cams its, ist, ill and B38 are radi- 'allymovable between outer positions in which only or in a position in it fails to engage any butts. Cooperating with the conventional cam druminthe usual fashion. 0i 'the upper cams, cams iii, iu, |25 and in @and 4levers which need not be described. The

fine control of the stitches.

axial sliding movements of cam 92 are controlled in the same fashion.

In view of the split knitting occurring in the leg, it is essential that the stitches at the various series to form the instep, and a short butt series to form thev sole of the stocking. The needles themselves are not provided with the long andv short butts. but rather the sliders associated with them. Preferably, and as indicated specifically herein, equal numbers of needles are provided in the two groups on opposite sides of the center line |42. For illustrative purposes, there may be considered to be two hundred needles provided, one hundred in the instep series and one hundred in the sole series, as indicated at the top and bottom o f the diagram in Figure 5:

Referring first to the knitting butts 62 of the lower sliders, ,all of the instep sliders are provided with long buttsl, Except for the end sliders of the sole series, all of these are provided with short butts |46. The two end sliders, however, are provided with intermediate length butts |48 which, as will be evident hereafter, provide for the formation of sutures in the split knitting.

The upper sliders of the instep series are provided withV long butts |50, while the upper sliders of the Sole series are provided with short butts |52.

The upper sliders are either provided with no main transfer butts, as indicated at |64, with long main transfer butts, indicated at |56, short main transfer butts |58, Orintermediate length transfer butts |60. The arrangements of these butts will be apparent from Figure 5, in which it will be noted that long and short transfer butts occur in the instep series and long and intermediate transfer butts in the sole series. Both the short and intermediate transfer butts occur on groups of three sliders separated by groups of -six sliders. As will appear hereafter, these short and intermediate butts are found on those sliders which knit the ribs in the leg portion of the stocking. Because of the knitting of 1 x 1 rib,

of the butts |60, which, in the formation of the stockingv of Figures l and 1A, are functlonless but have been described to clarify the arrangement of the sliders. The longer butts |68 occur only on the two groups of leg rib forming slidersof the instep series on each side of the stocking. The auxiliary transfer butts 6| are provided as indicated at |'10 on the corresponding four groups of lower sliders. The various auxiliary transfer butts control the interruption and resumption of the rib formation in the instep portion of the stocking occasioned by thevpresence of the Hirner heel extension.

The invention will be best understood from specific consideration of these butt set-ups. It

will be evident, however, that variations in thev product will require obvious changes therein.

For the production of right and left toes special control of lowering picker 04 is necessary. This special controlling means is illustrated in Figures 7, 8, 9.and 10. The picker |04 is in the form of a lever pivoted about a horizontal axis on a member |1| swiveled for movement about a vertical axis in conventional fashion. The tail portion |12 of the picker is pulleddownwardly by a spring |14 into engagement with the cam surfaces |18 of a xed plate. Normally the picker is held in central position by the action of spring controlled ngers |16.

To serve for control of the picker there is pivoted at |80 a lever |62 having a cam surface |86 adapted'to engage the tail |12 of the picker to lower it to a position to be engaged by butts of sliders which have been raised out of action. In the present machine the picker |04 is inoperative when it is above such level. When it is lowered to be engaged by the butt of a raised slider and is pushed sidewise thereby it will ride up one or the other of the cam surfaces'l18 to effect lowering of its butt engaging end in conventional fashion. The lever |82 is urged in a f direction to remove the cam |864 from the picker every alternate upper slider musthave a main fer butt does not occur thereon,. then a long transfer butt is provided.

The lower sliders corresponding to upper Sliders which do not carry transfer butts are also lacking in transfer butts, as indicated at |62.

Every alternate lower .slider carries a long main transfer butt |64. Lower sliders which do not carry the butts |64, but which correspond in position to the broad rib sliders of the upper series carry short transfer butts |66. In Figure 5 the groupings of needles and sliders forming rib and plain stitches in the formation of the leg are so indicated.

The auxiliary transfer butts 5 1 occur in two lengths, as indicated at |61 and |68. The short butts |61 occur on all the sliders having inter'- mediate length transfer butts |60, and, in the present instance, perform theA normal functions transfer butt. If a shortv or intermediate transby a spring |84. A flexible wire |88 is connected to the other end of the lever |82 and to an arm on a rod |92 adapted to be moved upward by a follower |84 engageable by camsl |96 on the main cam drum of they machine. By such action the picker |12 may be rendered operative at predetermined periods.

Additionally, the end of the lever |82 is engageable by an adjustable screw |88 carried by a lever 200 urged in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 7 by a spring. 202. The opposite end of the lever 200 has a beveled surface 204 engageable by the upper end of a lever 206 having a, follower portion 208 adapted to be engageable and raised by jacks 2|0 carried in slots in a drum 2|4 and held therein by a spring band 2|2. Thus a dual control may be imparted to the lever |82.

Thedrum 2|4 is conveniently journalled loosely upon the shaft 2|6 of the main cam drum of the machine and is secured to a ratchet disc 2|8 provided with normal length teeth corresponding to the number of slots in the drum 2|4 with the exception of diametrically opposite low teeth of which one is illustrated at 250. To prevent overrunning movements of the drum 2|4, a friction plunger is provided at 220 spring pressed against the surface of the ratchet 2|8.

The ratchet is adapted to be driven tooth by tooth by a pawl 222 pivoted to an arm 22| Jour- .'nalled on the shaft 2|6 and urgedinto `engagement with the ratchet by a spring 224. A spring acordes with an adjustable screw 238 carried by one arm of the bell crank 232 pivoted at 23S, the other ried by the segment 242 adapted to impart reciprocatory motions to the needlecylinders being driven by a link 2M driven by a; crank of the usual driving arrangement. This cylinder driving arrangement is conventional and is illustrated, for example, in Figure 7 oi' myapplication Serial No. 227,452, filed August 30, 1938, now Patent No. 2,180,708. 'I'he position oi' the roller 233 is adjusted by means of a screw 246 which bears upon a xed portion of the frame (not illustrated). Thus the stroke 'of the pawl is adjusted so that it will be greater than one tooth l spacing and less than two.

A detent 248 is provided to prevent retrograde inovementoi the drum 2id.

orden to time up the drum there is pmvlded at 35i a guard for the low teeth 250 oi the pawl 222 with a low tooth 25d despite reciprocation of the pawl during reciprocatory split knitting or heel knitting. 'As soon as the selective control of the picker' |04 is to occur the guard 252 is moved by the action of a cam on follower 261!K to uncover the tooth so that the jack-drum will be advanced. After the necessary lactions 'aotee to hole the pawl 2221 outwardly so that it i [as the needles move'ln one direction but notas they more in the other direction during reciprocetory knitting. *At other times, as for example,

in the formation of theheel, or in the formation foi-other parte of the toes, the lowering picker 'must be selectively active or inactive through longer periods. As wlli be evident from an examination ci Heure 7, the two controls oi the ann idd are essentially independent, so that either of the controls lthey determine the activity .of the jack drum have been completed, the guard 252 will again be moved into guarding position. 'Bo long as the normal teeth are engaged by the pawl 222, the advance will continue, but when a tooth 2501s brought into position to be engaged by the pawl, the advance will cease and the drum will then be in a position to begin the formation of the other 'type oi.' toe in the,next stocking.- During such setting up movements, no `lacks, or at least no active jacks carrying butts, will en gage the follower B. Consequently, the picker maybe controlled independently by the action oi' the cam follower 96.

The operation of the machine to form a stocking may be best appreciated from consideration of Figure 8 in conjunction with the following description. In this iigure therev are illustrated diagrammatically the` movements of the various controlling cams, etc., to produce the variousV needle actions incident to the productionof the stocmng of Figures l and 1A.

ofthe lowering picker. The cam action on `iol- Y active at the end oi a movement in one direction end' inactive at the endl of Ithe movement 'in direction.` The particular movements duringr'which the "picker should be operative or inoperative will diiierent .depending unan Ywlfletlher a right or left toe isbeing formed. Conright atocmng and the other half a left stocking, the-two halves being donned by diametrically o posite low teeth 23d. To accomplish this each vided the nordsee. Trintignant the foi-manos In considering the operation of the machine, it is most convenient to begin with the formation of the loopers rounds iinlshing one stocking before proceedingv to the next. In the formation of these rounds, the machine is knitting single feed with all of the needles controlled by sliders in the pass down cams G3 and 7u to draw stitches and then up cam 8d passing, without engaging, the center cam l, and then passing over the reverse stitch cam 12 for subsequent engagement with center vcam. td. Plain knitting is thus effected.

The knitting butts of the upperv sliders move at a j' low level missing withdrawn cams idd, i3d and iid. l

'Ihe stockings are formed on this'machine in a` continuous series, there being provided a draw y thread joining the loopers rounds of one stocking location or a jack dit only in every alternate .sint in the drum the picker itil may be rendered Y ce vfrequently, the jack drum is desirably made so that one-bali of ai revolutionthereoi will forma q The draw thread is introduced at the auxiliary l ggg e, provided with alternate :Jacks bearing the stoner relationship te recipmcaiins of the ses;

with the welt 'of a succeeding stocking. "The knitting and nature of this draw thread arrangement are described in Bentley Patent 2,045,938, and its formation will be briefly described herein merely to show the cam changes of the machine. The knitting of the draw thread is essentially the same as described in' said Bentley et al. patent.

At the end of the formation of the loopers rounds, the transfer cam 8B is moved in to elu-A gage only the long transfer Abutts on the lower sliders. Cam. @d may be moved out at this time.

feed, and the yarn for knitting the welt is introduced at the main'feed. Center cam 13 and cams i245 and ist are moved in and cams H2, |30 and i3d are moved out. Cam i2, which has hereto# fore been in its inner position, though itwas not or the steering is severine er the helinarrowing portion to iorm a toe', thegusrd 'engaging knitting butts, remains in, lowering the upper sliders suiiiciently to cause them to receive the transferred needles from the lower cylinder.

The knitting butts oi' the upper sliders now move up cams idd and HB, past cams I I2'and i3d without engaging these 'cams andv are then de dt'will be infa 'position to prevent engagement 75 pressed by cams -izt and i2! sufdcientlyto locate,

`ily pulled out to separate the stockings.

diately lowered by 88 to effect. in .cooperation with the cam 66, a conventional transfer opera- -tion locating alternate needles in the upper cylinder. Cam 94 then lowers the raised sliders to active level so that they move with the sliders which still control needles. The knitting butts ofthe lower sliders are depressed by center cam 68 and stitch cam 10, thence rise over cam 9| to be depressed by cams 18 and 80 at the auxiliary feed. The knitting butts then pass up cams |00 and |02 and over the reverse stitch cam 12.

By reason of the above the needles in the lower cylinder take yarn at the main feedV and also take the draw thread at the auxiliary feed. The needles in the upper cylinder take yarn only at the main feed, thus producing the draw thread stitches described in the Bentley et al. patent. This draw thread is knit only for approximately one and one-half courses so that it Amay he read- The welt is then formed by removal of the draw thread and by withdrawal of cams 'I8 and |20. The result of this is that the needles in the lower cylinder knit single feed taking yarn at the main feed only. They pass through the same wave as in the formation of the loopers rounds, but the yarn is, of course, taken only by alternate needles. The upper sliders move through the central race, missin'g all cams |20, |38, ||2 and |30, their needles holding the loops ting plain fabric.

from their last course of knitting. By the subsequent reengagement of these loops.. the con-- ventional welt 2 is formed.

, move down camstand 10, up cams 98 and I2,`

down 18 and 80 and up |00. |02, and 12. The knitting butts of the upper sliders move up cams |08 and H0, down cams ||2 and HI, up lll and' ||8, and down |20 and |22, and are then raised byscam |24 Vto a position to be reengaged by cam l0 Following the formation of Ythe rib top,l the ribbed leg 6 is knit, the set-up in the present case being suitable to form the usual 6 x 3 rib arrangement. In passing to the formation of the leg, except for yarn changes if yarn changes are desired, there is no vvariation in the knitting Waves, there being merely transfers of needles transfer effects shift only of the needles engaged by the. short butt sliders. Immediately there are transferredl to the lower cylinder all of the needles engaged by upper sliders having long transfer butts. As will be evident from consideration of Figure 5, this will result in having in the lower cylinder groups of six needles with intermediate groups of three needles, each, in the upper cy1inder. The continued knitting, therefore, will result in the production of the 6 x 3 rib leg 6 which is illustrated. At this point it may be noted, as pointed out above, that by more elaborate control of the transfer, particularly when -a plurality of yarns arebeing fed to the 4needles to produce plating, there' can be produced quite elaborate designs. It will be understood. therefore, that the reference to 6 x 3 rib at this point and in connection with the further discussions of the rib areas is only for the purpose of illustration and that there is possible great liberty of variation in the production of structural and design modications. A links andllinks type of pattern may be produced. using in conventional fashion jacks above the upper sliders for controlling their movements under the action of special pattern means.

When the position II-of the high splice is reached, the rotary motion of the needle cylinder is changed to reciprocatory motion and a heavier yarn is introduced at. the main feed to be knit into the high splice at theirear of the stocking,.the leg yarn being retained lat the 'auxiliary feed to knit the instep.

It may be noted that the sliders having intermediate length butts |40 control needles in the lower cylinder knit- Consequently the matter of formation of the suture is taken care of by the cams controlling the lower sliders.

At this point, cam 10 is moved out to engage long and medium butts only. ,Cam IIB is moved out vto engage long butts, only. Cam |20 is moved in so that its set back portion will engage long butts. Cams |30 and |30 move in. Cam 92 is moved up to raise long butts.

The instep `needles now knit at the auxiliary feed and the sole needles at the main feed. In their forward movements the long butt lower sliders carrying the instep needles move down camsflt and 80, up cams |00 and |02 and are then raised by cam 92 above the level of cams 90 and 68. In their reverse movements they move down cams 18 and 02 and up cam |0| to be engaged by the camv |06 which carries them to a level above ctms 68 and 98.

The short butt lower sliders miss cam 92 on 5- their forward movement and passing over cam to secure the desired arrangements in the upper and lower cylinders. Two feed. knitting continues for the rapid formation of the leg. To

upper transfer cams 04' and 85, respectively, lare eiect the shift of needles both Athe lower and moved inwardly, the former to engage all of the 'v lower transfer butts both'long and short and the latter to engage long transfer butts only. As a result of.this,all of the butt-carrying sliders4 sliders arealready in the upper cylinder, the

12 run down cams. and 10 tobe raised by cam 98. They then pass cam 18 without engaging it; On their reversemovement they miss camv |06 -and after rising slightly over cam 10 pass 'down cams ll and 12 to draw stitches, being thereafter raised by cams 89 and |03.

The intermediate butt suture needles provide the suture between the split portions of the fabric by taking yarn at both feeds. Theintermediate butt slider which leads -the short butt sole series in its forward'movement starts from the position indicated at -A in Figure 3. It lis not raised with the long buttl series preceding it 'I0- which raises it to the level of the long buttv by the cam 92andaccordingly engages picker series above the-"center cam 0l so that on this movement it fails to -knit yarn at the main feed.

The cam 1l is in a position to 'engage it as well as the long butt sliders, and consequently it is ing at the position indicated at B. On its reverse movement it engages cam 'it being depressed by this cam and cam S2 and is then raised by cam itl. Passing cam lot, which engages long butt sliders only, it passes beneath the picker l@ which is now riding on the preceding short butts of the short butt sliders. It will accordingly now pass with the short butt sliders through a knitting wave at the main feed, finally arriving at the position A. Thus during a complete reciprocation the corresponding suture needle will knit yarn twice'at the auxiliaryieed `and once at the main feed.

The other suture needle slider leading the long butt series starts from the position indicated at A in its forward movement, and missing cam mit, is depressed by cams 'it and si) and raised by cams itil and lod, then, missing cam 92, it rises over stitch caxn l2 and is depressed by 14: @t and it and raised by cam 96 reaching its nal position at B. Upon its reverse movement, since it now leads the short butt needles.

it will engage picker lil after passing cam it@ and will be raised thereby above the level of cams GS and t@ to engage cam it which, together with cam ylowers it. It then rises'over cam iol to reach its final position A'. Thus the suture needle associated with this slider also knits yarns twiceat the auxiliary feed and once atv the main the stocking knit by the needles taking part in the heel formation. These courses are indicated at i4. No change isnow necessary in the cams which engage the knitting butts-of the sliders. Needles, however, are transferred from the upper to the lower cylinder as follows:

Usually on a machine of this type about two revolutions of theylinders are used for stepping the transfer cams l and out, whereas in the present instance a quick selective transfer is required during the reciprocatory knitting. Accordingly there is provided the auxiliary transier cam 81 adapted to occupy three alternative positions.v As the short butt series of sliders start moving counterclockwise from the lposition A, the cam 8'! is moved to its innermost position so that it will lower thesliders carrying butts ll, the sliders carrying butts |68 being already to the left of cam 8l as viewed in Figure 3. Folleading the short butt sliders and being located Y at the end of thestroke tol the left of position B. At the end oi"4 this stroke, cam tl is fully retracted. Thus short butt sliders do not. start through the transfer a second time, and cam el does not engage any butts in the next reverse back portion or cam tt. On their reverse movement the leading long butt needle will start from a position above B and the long butt sliders will engage the center cam it@ to be caused to pass through a knitting wave at the auxiliary feed, being then caused to miss center cam. it@ by the actions of cams 632 and i3d. l

The short butt upper sliders in a' forward .movement start from the position A and are 'caused to move. upwardly by cam ld. The 'short buttahowever, miss the recessed portion of cam i529 and so engage center cam itil by which togather with cam lit, they are caused to have stitch drawing movements at the main feed. They are depressed by cams H2 and llt, and miss the auxiliary center cam lle. On their reverse movements they start from the position B' and are raised by cam 432 to engage cam it@ after missing cam. i3d. Accordingly, they again take yarn at the main feed, after which they are tipressed by cams itt and it@ and miss cam ali-of the needles oi each series to proper iinai position to take vyarns during the split knitting.

l This excess range of movement is also necessary ,l splice and before starting the formation vof the heel, itis desirable to' knit one or more split It will be noted that'the' cylinders have a range of reciprocation in excess-of 180-so as to bring stroke.. As a result of these operations, there will remain in the upper cylinder only the needles which form the ribs in the iront of the extreme forward limits of the heel structure which is toV be formed.

Following the formation of the courses it, the narrowing for the formation of the heel portion i? is begun. The heel yarn is introduced at the main feed and cams it, lit, l2d, and 32 now move out of action. Accordingly, all the upper sliders will pass by cam llt without being raised thereby to cause their needles to take yarn. The short butt upper sliders no longer control any needles and pass idly below the cams. The long butt lower sliders will pass'carn i8 and will raout, while the lowering picker itil is rendered ac-` -tive -by a cam'acting upon lever I Sfi, which action causes 'it to move down to the level at which the inactive butts are moving. The widening action now takes place in conventional fashion, two needles being picked down and one picked up at each end of the short butt series f upon each reciprocation. To form the Hirner type of heelthe widening does not cease when all of the short butt needles have been brought into action, but the widening is continued without any further change in the cam set-up, bringf tinue their'action producing the narrowed gore 'g 2b. This narrow gore may extend to the position courses to eliminate the ribs from the portions of 7.5

of thesuture, as indicated in Figure 1.

At the beginning of the heel narrowing when cams 'i8 and HB are withdrawn, the instep yarn which has been knitting at that feed is also withdrawn and is clamped and cut. When the narrowed gore 20 has been completed and split knitting is to be resumed, the instep yarn is reinserted. If the Hirner gores are not incorporated in the stocking, then floating the instep yarn under take-up control in the conventional fashion is a satisfactory procedure. However, if long butt needles are picked down to form the special gore in front of the heel, it is preferable to clamp and cut the instep yarn as stated, reinserting it when split knitting is resumed after completion of the gores. 'I'he sutures will be interrupted by the goresand will not extend without a break along the corners of the heel sutures. Consequently there will not be a tendency to the formation of an operi stitch at the heel corners providing weak points in the stockings.

When the narrowing is completed, there are preferably formed one or more courses, as indicated at 22, as a preliminary step to the formation of the ribs throughout the entire instep. To form these courses, 22, there are moved into place. In the direction of reciprocation in which yarn at the mainv feed. Upon reciprocation in action cams 92, |08, 18 (to engage long and intei-mediate butts only) and cam ||6 (to engage long butts only). Reciprocatory knitting then takes place in the same fashion as in the formation of courses I4, plain knitting occurring throughout the sole and also in the instep in the region in front of the Hirner heel.

Following the formation of the courses 22 the only action necessary to continue knitting is the transfer of the two sets of rib needles on each side adjacent the suture lineto the upper cylinder by the action of cam 88 on the special butts |10 of the corresponding sliders. ments of the sliders in Ithe formation of the split foot are essentially the 'same asin the formation of the high splice with the exception that since no ribs are being formed in the sole the short butt series of sliders in the upper cylinder move idly at a low level, cams |24 and |32 remaining out oi' action. The sutures between the instep and sole portions are formed as described above. If a sole yarn different from the heel yarn is desired, a yarn change takes place at the main' feed.

Following the formation of the foot, the ring toe may be produced, preferably in two steps by rotary knitting single feed. First cams 18,

92, ||6 and |26 are moved out of action and cams 94 and |24 are' moved into action. The result of this will be cessation oi' knitting at the auxiliary feed with knitting by yarn at'the main feed by needles under the control of both upper and lower sliders. This knitting, which may proceed for one or more courses, will involve the formation of ribs at the instep. Immediately,

The move- .first long butt slider.

brought down to trail the end of the short butt the reverse direction, the lowering picker will be operative to engage the first two sliders of the raised series which will be the suture sliderleading 4`the long butt series and the adjacent Both -of these will be sliders. However, before reaching the center cam 68, the long butt slider thus brought down will be raised by either cam |08 or cam 92 depending upon the direction of movement. The re- Vsult will be that the suture needle will take yarn at the main feed with the needles of the short butt series. 'I'his action will be repeated at the unfashioned side, the suture needle under discussion being raised in one reciprocation and lowered in the next. Thus no narrowing at its side of the short butt series will take place. At the same time, however, narrowing in the usual fashion takes place on the other side of the short butt series, a needle being raised ln each reciprocation.

After a sufficient length of straight selvage has been produced along the line 33 reaching the point 34, the lowering picker is rendered'inoperative, and consequently narrowing at both sides takes place along the line 85.

Following completion of the narrowing operation, the lowering Apicker is renderedoperative on both sides by the action of a cam |98 on follower |94. Widening will now take place in the usual fashion, there being two needles lowered and one raised at each reciprocation. 4On the side on which narrowing did not take place during the first part of the toe formation, the

. lowering l picker after the point 34 is again however, cam 85 is moved in to engage the short- Y est transfer butts of the upper sliders. Thereafter, plain fabric is knit at the main feed .by needles controlled by the lower sliders only. If

desired a new yarn maybe introduced a-t the main feed for-` the formation of this ring toe.

Following the formation of the ring toe, re,

`. ciprocatory knitting is again resumed for the formation of the special right or left toe. 'I'he cam changes involve -the reinsertion of cam |26,

the removal of cam |24, lthe raising of cam 82 tive when reciprocation` in one direction takesv75 at I2'. Following vthis there may be 4formed lthe reached is unable to produce any further widening, since while it will lower two needles at each action, one of these will be a suture needle and the other an end needle of the long butt series.

The latter is raised immediately after being lowered by lthe action of either cam 92 or |08, while.

As a matter of styling. it may be desirable. to

have instead of the ribbed high splice I3 a plain high splice portion above the heel with the ribs continued' through the instep. Such a modification .is fragmentarily illustrated in Figure 12, which show s only the heel portion of a stocking which, exceptfor the construction at this heel portion, may be identical with the stocking of Figure 1. The leg 8' is similar to the leg 8. Prior to the beginning of the plain high splice the ribs a-t the rear of the stocking are cutout for one or more Vcourses of rotary knitting at two feeds, as indicated at 8'. The position for beginning the high splice is then reached and splice I8' while continuing the ribbed instep as lcourses indicated at I4' corresponding to Il and thereafter the heel I1' is begun.

Assuming the cam arrangement as described above for the formation of the 6 x 3 rib leg, the formation of the stocking of this modification may be described as follows with reference to the `butt diagram of Figure 11 showing the slight modifications required as compared with Figure 5. v

It will be noted that butts |61 are no longer required and only one length of auxiliary butts at |68 on the two groups of broad rib sliders on each side inthe instep series.

The courses 9' are knit by rotary knitting with transfer of .all the needles of the sole series from the upper to the lower cylinder by moving cam 85 inwardly to engage the intermediate length butts |60. Thus two feed knitting proceeds with plain knitting at the rear of the stocking and broad'rib knitting continued at the front therebutts only. Cams |24 and |32 are moved out to avoid putting waves in the upper sliders and to prevent' passage of the short butt upper sliders (which now control no needles) through a .knitting Wave at the main feed. Since cam '|24 is moved out the position of cam |26 is immaterial. Cam |30 is moved in to clear stitches in reverse course in the Well known fashions to produce is necessary on the' upper sliders, these occurring movements at the auxiliary feed. Cam |38 is y inactive throughout the formation of this stocking, but if it is controlled to move in with cam |30, such movement does no harm. Cam 92 is movedin to raise long butt sliders over the cams at the main feed. Cam |06 is already in position to perform this same function, during reverse movements.

As a result of the above set-up, knitting of the` ankle will take place in substantially the., same fashion as the knitting of the foot of the modification of Figure l, a plain high splice I3' being produced.

Following the formation of the high splice,

courses I4' may be formed in the same fashion as the courses I4, transfer cam 81 being moved in to lower the two groups of. rib forming needles ofthe instep seriesgon bothA sides of vthe stocking. From this point o n, the formation of the stocking is the same as in the modification of Figure 1.

In the formation of a high splice such as |3'; it will generally be desirable to use a yarn ofthe same color as that used for forming the legbut perhaps heavier. If a reenforced high splice is not desired, however, a true high splice need not be made at this point, but instead knitting as in the courses 9' Amay be continued to the formation of the courses at I4 immediately preceding the heel.

One of the most evident modifications of the 143 9 ever, needles may be transferred from course to Awhat amount to various areas of plain and rib stitches, i. e., concatenations of theloops which involve passage through previously formed loops of other loops in selective opposite directions. Such patterns are, of course, produced by more elaborate control of the transfer operations and are secured by suitable set-ups of the transfer butts on both the upper and lower sliders with corresponding controls of the transfer cams. For more elaborate control, it will be obvious that the sliders can be associated with jacks having butts at different levels cooperating with pattern controlling cams. Such designs as well as ribs of the type specifically disclosed are charac- -terized by the selective reverse concatenation of the loops.

The stockings described above are of quite elaborate character, and it will vbe understood that the principles of the invention are applicable to the formation of stockings of simpler type. For example, the Hrner gores may be omitted and/or conventional toes may be provided instead of the right and left toes described heretofore. Other forms of Hirner gores'may also be readily incorporated, for example,`the alternative type illustrated in Figure 6 of my Patent No. 2,170,078. From the description ofthe cam actions above it will be evident how such a modified gore may be .produced by slight variation in the handling of the needles.

What I claim and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. A circular knitting machine of the superposed cylinder type comprising upper and lower cylinders arranged to rotate and reciprocate in unison, needles adapted to slide in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns to the needles at spaced feed points,v means at each of said feed points to" control needle movements to form stitches, and controlling means for effecting, first, control of needles located in both cylinders at both feed points Awhile the cylinders revolve to produce two feed knitting containing reversely concatenated loops, and,.second, control of needles located in at least one cylinder at one feed point and control of needles located in both cylinders at the other feed point while the cylinders reciprocate to produce split knitting. l

2. A circular knitting machine of the superposed. cylinder type comprising upper and lower y cylinders arranged to rotate and reciprocate in unison, needles adapted to slide in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns to the needles 'at spaced feed points, means at each of said feed points to control needle movements to form stitches, and controlling means for effecting, first, control of needleslocated in both cylinders at both feed p'oints while the cylinders revolve to produce two feed knitting containing reversely concatenated loops, and, second, control of needles located in both cylinders at both feed points while the cylproduct and method will be the formation of more elaborate designs than those secured by the mere formation of ribs running through the leg and instep. The 6 x 3 rib construction has been described as typical and involves no transfers of needles except in the regions of demarcation between different portions of the stocking. How,-

indem reciprocate to produce split knitting.

3. A circular knitting machine of the superposed cylinder type comprising upper andlower cylinders arranged to rotate and reciprocate in unison, needles adapted to slide in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns to the needles at spaced feed points, means at each of said feed points to control needle movements to form stitches,

A and controlling means'for effecting, rst, control of needles located in both cylinders at at least one feed point while the cylinders revolve to produce knitting containing reversely concatenated loops, and, second, control of needleslocated in at least one cylinder at one feed point and control of needles located in both cylinders at the other feed point while the cylinders -reciprocate to produce split knitting.`

4. A circular knitting machine of the superposed cylinder type comprising upper and lower versely concatenated loops in both the front and rear of a stocking, secondly, transfer of needles while the cylinders revolve to interrupt the formation of reversely concatenated loops in the rear of the stocking, and then controlof needles located in one cylinder at one feed point to form the rear of the stocking and control of needles located in both cylinders at the other feed point while thecylinders reciprocate to produce lsplit knitting;

5. A circular knitting machine ofthe super-- posed cylinder type comprising upper and lower cylinders arranged to rotate and reciprocate in unison, needles adapted to slide in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns to the needles at spaced feed points, means at each of said feed points to.

control needle movements to form stitches, and controlling means for enecting, first, controlof needles located in both cylinders at atleast one feed point while the vcylinders revolve to produce knitting containing reversely concatenated loops,

attirance versely concatenated loops in both sections thereof, and, third, control of needles located in on!! one cylindery at one feed point and control of needles located in both cylinders at the other feed point while the cylinders reciprocate to produce split knitting ofwhich one section is plain and of which the other section contains reversely concatenated loops.

and, second, control of vneedles located in at least a one cylinder at onefeed point and control of needles located in at least one cylinder at the other feed point vwhile the cylinders reciprocatev 8. A circular knitting machine of the superposed cylinder type comprising upper and lower cylinders arranged to rotate and reciprocate in unison, needles adapted to slide in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns to the needles, means to control nee'dle lmovement to form stitches, means for transferring'needles from one cylinder to the other during rotary movements of the cylinders, and auxiliary means for transferring needles from one cylinder to the other during reciprocatory movements of the cylinders.

9. A .circular knitting machine of the superposed cylinder type comprising upper and lower cylinders arranged to rotate and reciprocate in unison, needles adapted to slide in said cylinders, sliders in said cylinders for controlling needle movements, means for feeding yarns to the needles, means to control needle movements to form stitches, means for transferring needles from control by the sliders of one cylinder to control bythe sliders of the other cylinderduling rotary movements of the cylinders. and auxiliary means for transferring needles from control by the sliders of one cylinder to control-by the sliders of the other cylinder during reciprocatory movements of the cylinders.

l0. A circular knitting machine of the superposed cylinder type comprising upper and lower cylinders, needles adapted to slide in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns to the needles. means to controlvneedle movements to fom stitches, means for transferring a set of needles from one cylinder to the other at one stage means for feeding yarns to the needles at Aspaced feed points, means at each of said feed points to control needle movements to form stitches, and controlling means for effecting, rst, control of needles located in both cylinders at .both feed. points while the cylinders revolve to produce two feed knitting containing reversely concatenated loops, and, second, control of needles located in only one cylinder at one feed point and control of needles locatedin both cylinders at the other feed point while the cylinders reciprocate to produce split knitting of which one section is plain cylinders arranged to rotate and reciprocate in unison, needlesadapted to slide in said cylinders, meansA for feeding yarns to the needles at` spaced -feed points, means at each of said feed points to control needle movements to form stitches,

and controlling means for effecting, rst, control of needles located in both cylinders-abat least one feed point` while the cylinders revolve toproduce knitting containing reversely concatenated s loops, second, control of needles located in'both cylinders .at both feed points while the'cylinders reciprocate topro'duce split knitting having re-'f of the knitting operation and auxiliary means for transferring certain needles of said set from one cylinder to the other at another stage of the cylinders arranged to rotate and reciprocate in` vpoint and control of needles located in at least ione cylinderv at the other feed point to produce a split knitting.

12. A circular knitting machine of the superposed c'ylindertype comprising upper 'and lower cylinders arranged to .rotate and reciprocate in unison, needles adapted to slide in said cylinders, means for feeding yarns tothe needles at -spaced to control means at each of said feed points to control needle movements to' draw loops to f orxn stitches, and controlling means for effecting, first, control of needles located in both. cylinders at both feed points while the cylinders revolve to produce knitting containing' reversely concatenated loops, and, second, con.

trol of needles locatedin at least one cylinder at one feed point and control of needles located in at least one cylinder at the other feed point to produce split knitting.

13. The method of knitting a split foot stocking having reversely concatenated loops forming design structure therein on a knitting machine of the superposed cylinder type which comprises knitting a portion of the stocking on needles in both cylinders by rotary knitting, and another y portion of the stocking on needles in both cylinders by reciprocatory knitting.

14. The method o f knitting a split foot stocking having reversely concatenated loops forming design structure therein on a knitting machine of the superposed cylinder type which comprises knitting a portion of the stocking on needles in both cylinders by rotary knitting, one portion of the split foot on needles in both cylinders by reciprocatory knitting, and another portion of the split foot on needles in one cylinder only by reciprocatory knitting.

l5. The method of knitting on a knitting machine of the superposed cylinder two feed type the leg portion of a stocking, which leg portion,

has reversely concatenated loops therein" forming design structure, which comprises knitting said leg portion partly by rotary knitting at both feeds and partly by reciprocatory knitting at both feeds.

18. The methodv of knitting on a knitting machine of the superposed cylinder two feed type the leg portion of a stocking, which leg portion contains longitudinally extending ribs, which comprises knitting said leg portion partly by 'rotary knitting at both feeds and partly by reciprocatory knitting at both feeds.

19. The method of knitting a stocking on a knitting machine of the superposed cylinder -type` comprising knitting on needles in both cylinders during reciprocatory knitting, and, during said reciprocatory knitting, transferring needles from one cylinder to the other to alter the type of stitches knit thereby.

20. The method of knitting a stocking on a knitting machine of the superposed cylinder type .comprising knitting on needles in both cylinders during reciprocatory knitting, and, during said reciprocatory knitting, transferring certain needles from one cylinder to the other and then back again to alter the type of stitches knit thereby.

21. The method of knitting a stocking on a knitting machine of the superposed cylinder type comprising knitting on needles in both cylinders during reciprocatory knitting, during said re- 16. The method of knitting a split foot stocking on needles in both cylinders by rotary knit-.

ting. one portion of the split foot on needles in both cylinders by reciprocatory knitting, and another portion of the split foot on needles in one cylinder only by reciprocatory knitting.

ciprocatory knitting transferring certain needles from one cylinder to the other to alter the type of stitches knit thereby, and rendering needles so transferred first temporarily inactive and then active, thereby to form a suture.

22. The method of knitting a stocking on a knitting machine of the superposed cylinder type comprising knitting on needles in both cylinders during reciprocatory knitting, during said reciprocatory knitting transferring certain needles from one cylinder to the other to alter the type of stitches knit thereby. rendering needles so transferred first temporarily inactive and then active, thereby to' form a suture, and thereafter retransferring to the first cylinder the previously transferred needles.

HAROLD E. HOUSEMAN.

y ERTIF'ICATE os CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,257,115.- A A April 1 19241.

. HAROLD E. HoUsEnAN.

It is hereby certified that ez'z'pr appears the printed specification of.th e aboyenumbered 4p'atent requiring correctfon a; fellows: Page 10, SBC" claim l2, for "to control means read f'feed boi-nts mean'?? and that the ad Letters Patent As'old be rvead'with this cer'ecton therein that the seme may conform to the'r'eqord of the lcase 1in ,the 'Patent Office.

signed and sealednieatn day or october, A. D.f1915 Henry Van Arsdale, Q (Seal) Atingommisioner of Patents. 

